OSP trooper loses home to wildfire

$25,790
of $5,000 goal

Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Erich Timko and his family lost their lovely log home near Canyon City in a wildfire on Friday, Aug. 14.

Knowing the Canyon Creek Complex Fire was approaching his home, Senior Trooper Timko remained on duty, evacuating his friends and neighbors. Meanwhile, his wife collected the couple's children, animals and most important belongings and rushed to safety.

He arrived home with minutes to spare, saving one last item -- a police uniform -- before the fire claimed the home he'd helped build seven years earlier.

Many of you have asked how you can help. In the coming weeks and months, the Timkos will face extraordinary expenses. Your gift can help see them through this difficult time. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Greetings All -
I am happy to say the Timkos are soon to move into a furnished rental house and get the kiddos into school. Once again - and since I am closing this site down - thank you for your help! God is good, and may His blessings be on all of you who reached out to support the Timkos. Special thanks and shout-out to the OSP family - proud to wear French Blue! Please continue to pray for the folks who lost so much in the Canyon Creek Fire. If you can lift a hand to help, please do. Email: weaverm@grantcounty-or.gov

From the Timko's:
We would like to reach out to all of you that sacrificed your time and money to support this account set up by our close friends, the Brooks family. When Josh first told us that he had started this account, Christie and I had mixed emotions. As the remnant ashes of what was once our home and our neighbors' homes were still smoking, it was difficult to feel worthy of such money. As the hours and days went by and we were able to sporadically get updates, we were warmed and overwhelmed by the heartfelt comments and sacrificial donations. The wide spread support from fellow troopers, law enforcement, friends, community members and strangers alike, made us feel so honored and blessed to be included in each of your lives. Words cannot express our heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you for helping us get through this uprooting time. I can say, with the uppermost honesty, that you have truly impacted our lives and have given us strength to make it through this tumultuous week. Our faith has been strengthened, with a renewed focus on what is truly important in life. We all made it out safely and for that we thank God daily. As we close out our first week, we want to share that we have found temporary housing and are acquiring supplies to get through the short term of our journey. We promise you that your generosity will not end with us, but it is the beginning because you have inspired us in so many ways that we will always strive to pay it forward in attempt to pay it back to you. Thank you! We pray blessings upon you all!

{2 Corinthians 9:7-8} Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;…

Good morning friends. I am glad to report Erich and family are doing as well as can be expected during this difficult time. Without elaborating too much I can safely say they are both blessed and humbled by the outpouring of support they have received. Thank you!

I received an email requesting an update as to why I have not discontinued the campaign since reaching the $5000 goal. That number was (what I thought would be) an impossible (and arbitrary) amount to raise among Erich's friends, family and OSP supporters. Serves me right for doubting the care and generosity of these folks.

As it stands the gofundme site is active and ALL proceeds are immediately available for the Timko's. Beside the fee's charged by gofundme, all proceeds go directly to the Timko's. Thank you for your support - it is my hope that everyone who wants to support the them during this event have the opportunity to do so before closing the site.